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Ten Things You Must See in NYC

You know it from your favorite Woody Allen film or Sex and the City episode. Whether you dream of combing East Village bookshops or sipping martinis in the Meatpacking District, there's something here for you. Skim our highlights and you will fall in love in a New York minute.

Manhattan Skyline

The iconic view of Manhattan's Skyline! Head to the Top of the Rock or the Waterfront Promenade in Williamsburg to see the Empire State Building as it gleams above city spires like a crown jewel.

Battery Park is a cool green space at the tip of Manhattan along the Hudson River. Grab a picnic and catch the sunset while you marvel at the fact that this great big city is an island.

Top of the Rock

Rockefeller Center is an Art Deco skyscraper, and the view at the Top of the Rock is like no other. Photo op: catching the skyline here means the Empire State building is included in the view.

Statue of Liberty

An icon of freedom, the Statue of Liberty is a must see. Special exhibits or a climb to the top of the crown (booked in advance!) will make you feel like a part of NYC’s special history.

Ellis Island

The melting pot that is NYC: more than 12 million immigrants arrived here in search of the American Dream. View original manifests and get inspired by the history of Ellis Island.

Central Park

That sprawling green oasis in the middle, separating east from west. In the world-famous Central park you’ll find zoos, strawberry fields, bike paths, a great lawn, and much more.

Photo: bfishadow @flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

In this unparalleled museum of modern art, you get to see some of the greats up close and personal. Van Gogh, Picasso, Pollock, Warhol... the list goes on.

New York Harbor

One of the largest natural harbors in the world, the waterway is another great place from which to enjoy the view. Book a boat tour, sit back, and enjoy Manhattan’s magical lights.

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Climb the regal front steps into a world of wonder and inspiration. From ancient to modern art, the Met is an art history paradise. The roof offers breathtaking Central Park views.

Planning Your New York Visit

How many days to spend in New York?

Spend at least five days in order to see New York like a local. Manhattan is the ultimate walking city, densely packed and not very long or wide. You won't have to go very far and you'll find Broadway plays to see, districts and restaurants to explore, drinks to be had, bookstores and botanical gardens to browse. And don’t miss a walk on the Highline or the Brooklyn Bridge!

Where to shop?

From Bergdorf Goodman to local Soho boutiques, there’s something for everyone. Our tip? Be sure to check out the Brooklyn Flea: tons of local designers will give you a unique take-home souvenir.

Where to eat?

Interested in finding the best eats in New York? Here are our favorites. Pizza: Check out Roberta’s, a legendary Brooklyn institution. Classic bagels and lox: Head to Russ & Daughters on the Lower East Side. Authentic diner experience: Empire Diner and Tom’s Restaurant are two of the best. Fun brunch spot: Try Prune in the East Village, or Marlow & Sons or Cafe Colette (both in Williamsburg).

Good to Know

Language

English

Currency

USD ($)

Time Zone

UTC (-05:00)

Country Code

+1

Best time to visit

There's truly no best or worst time to visit New York, because this city is alive 24/7/365. That being said, those on a budget should look to plan a trip between January and April, when prices will be (at least a little) cheaper. Also, summer travelers should plan 6 months ahead.

Amy was informative and so pleasant to be with.

The NYC harbor tour was great and money well-spent.

We'd recommend the New York City harbor tour without reservation. The tour guide was especially enjoyable and witty. There was only shortcoming: I had minor difficulty downloading and printing the ticket voucher beforehand. Also, when I tried to reconfirm the reservation 48 hours in advance -- as suggested -- my phone call to an 800-number was routed to someplace in Europe, which wasn't open. We finally tried a local number, and that worked fine. Overall, though, a fine trip and the chance to take pictures near the Statue of Liberty was a special treat.

A Glimpse of the History of an Iconic Landmark

Our guide was very knowledgeable and we were able to see and learn a lot about the history of Grand Central Station. I enjoyed the photos of the station in the past but trying to look at them in a small size on an iPad while in a group of about 20 was not really workable. I would suggest enlarging them, printing them out and laminating them so that they could be passed around and everyone could see them clearly. I would certainly go on another of Ben's Bagel Tours. The fresh bagel was a nice touch.

Good experience and accomplished narrator, and the weathe was fine too

Boat left on time, we had coffee and hot dogs. Listened to the guide most of the time. Knowledgeable and humorous. Lots of interesting facts about the Manhattan shoreline. Good pics of the Statue as we approached, also the new World Trade Center, awesome.
Overall, good value for the money. A highlight of our NYC break.